Monthly Archives: May 2013
PCSO make arrests in rash of car break-ins
One suspect still at large
EASLEY — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men and have active warrants for another after a rash of vehicle break-ins in the Easley area.
According to sheriff Rick Clark, a total of 59 warrants were issued for 19-year-old Joshua Pete Thomas of Easley, 18-year-old Brandon Tyler Stoudenmire and 19-year-old Kenneth Justin Stoudenmire in the string of thefts.
Thomas and Brandon Stoudenmire have been arrested, while officers are still searching for Kenneth Stoudenmire.
Thomas faces one charge of burglary, one charge of grand larceny, nine charges of auto breaking and 10 charges of petit larceny.
Six Mile day of remembrance
The Town of Six Mile held a Memorial Day celebration at the Six Mile Town Hall on Monday to honor the four Medal of Honor recipients from Pickens County. The medal is the highest military award in our nation and Pickens County has more Medal of Honor recipients per capita than any other county in the United States. All four men gave their lives carrying out amazing acts of bravery. Furman Smith of Six Mile and William McWhorter of Liberty served during World War II, Charles Barker of Six Mile served during the Korean War and Donnie Howe of Six Mile served during the Vietnam War. Above, a wreath was laid in front of a special maker erected in their honor.
Pickens woman competes on new CBS baking show
Monty Brinton/CBS
Pickens resident Francine Bryson, pictured above with host Jeff Foxworthy, has been chosen as one of 10 amateur bakers vying for $250,000 and a cookbook contract on “The American Baking Competition,” premiering May 29 on CBS.
PICKENS — Pickens resident Francine Bryson has spent countless hours baking in the kitchen, baking her specialty pies, cakes and quiches.
Now she has the chance to turn all that hard work into a quarter of a million dollars and her own cookbook.
Bryson has been chosen as one of 10 contestants who will compete in a brand-new CBS reality series set to premiere tonight (May 29) at 8 p.m.
“The American Baking Competition,” based on the international hit “The Great British Bake Off,” will pit 10 amateur bakers from around the country in a weekly competition that will ultimately award one winner with a $250,000 grand prize and a publishing contract with Simon & Schuster to publish a cookbook.
Bryson was one of the 10 contestants chosen for the show, which will air for seven weeks and is hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, after a nationwide search at local casting bake-offs. Judges for the show will be accomplished chef Marcela Valladolid and star baker Paul Hollywood, also a judge on the British series.
Suspects sought by Clemson Police for armed robberies
Clemson Police Department
Anyone with information on this suspect caught on camera during a May 17 robbery at Little Caesars in Clemson is asked to call (864) 624-2000.
CLEMSON — Clemson police are looking for the public’s help in solving a pair of armed robberies.
At around 10 p.m. on May 14, two black males walked up to the rear dining room door of the Wendy’s on U.S. 123, both armed with pistols, according to police.
Employees were told to lay on floor as the suspects removed cash from the store safe, and before leaving, the suspects took cellphones from the employees, officers said.
Two nights later, at around 3 a.m. on May 17, what officers believe to be the same two suspects, again armed with pistols, went to the side door of the Little Caesars in downtown Clemson, with one suspect entering the store and taking an undetermined amount of cash.
Police have released a photo of a person armed with a pistol during the Little Caesars robbery.
Cruise-ins coming to downtown Pickens during month of June
PICKENS — Again this year, the first four Saturdays in June will see Pickens’ West Main Street filled with cruise-in vehicles and great entertainment.
A number of improvements have been made to the events. New this year will be the opportunity for the public to choose the winners each evening. Ballots will be available at the event headquarters table. Also, when the new city amphitheatre on West Main is completed, cruise-in bands will perform there. Until then, music will continue to be on stage right on West Main.
Other changes include an “open” cruise-in and the addition of bluegrass music. On June 1, the event series will open with a combination of classic and custom vehicles on display. The Katlin Owen Band will provide the country music entertainment. On June 8, motorcycles will come to town and enjoy rock and roll with the Sidemen.
Lady Lions bring home S.C. AAA Softball Championship
Daniel High School softball coaches and players celebrate following their victory over Darlington for the Class 3A State championship on Tuesday in Darlington. (Carl Ackerman/Photo)
CENTRAL — The Daniel High School softball team earned its first-ever State championship on Tuesday, May 21, to cap a stellar year for the school’s sports programs.
In addition to the Lady Lions, who ran undefeated through the playoffs and earned the State title with a 4-0 win at Darlington, the Daniel boys’ and girls’ track and field squads also earned Class 3A championships earlier this month to go along with the Lion boys’ cross-country squad’s State crown earned in the fall.
Senior Carley Hoover, who has already signed to pitch for Stanford University, threw a no-hitter against the Falcons in the title-clinching victory after taking a perfect game into the final inning.
Baptist Easley honors staff on Hospital Week
EASLEY — Baptist Easley CEO Michael L. Batchelor announced the Employee, Supervisor, Manager, and Director of the Year for 2012 during Hospital Week.
The 2012 Employee of the Year was Jessica Bell, R.N., Emergency Department. Her nomination read, “We had a 17-year-old patient who was basically abandoned in the ED. She arranged for the staff to buy her clothes, food, and an airplane ticket to go to her family in Florida. She spent over $200 of her own money to buy the patient clothes before other staff members began to contribute. She talked with the patient several times to help her with her self-confidence and decrease her anxiety. She is a very caring and loving nurse.”
Scholarship golf tourney continues to be successful
First place winner were Mark Allison, David Allison, Todd Sudduth. Not pictured Wally Frye
PICKENS — Twelve teams participated in the 9th annual Charles F. Rogers Scholarship Award Golf Tournament held at Pickens Country Club on May 18.
The event, which is held annually, raised money for scholarships that will be awarded to Pickens High School basketball team members who plan to further their education. Each year a senior from the girls and boys varsity basketball teams are awarded the scholarship award.
This will be the tenth year the scholarship has been presented in honor of the late Charles Rogers, a man who gave so much to Pickens High School as a player and coach for so many years. “Charles Rogers’ legacy lives through this award. It is a joy to honor a man that gave so much of his time and talents to Pickens High School as well as our community”, stated varsity girls coach Butch Morris.
Winners of the tournament were first place – David Allison, Mark Allison, Todd Sudduth & Wally Frye. Second place went to Steve Corn, Rick Corn, Jeff Turner and Steve Beasley. Third place team members were Johnny Hatton, Sandy Henry, Charles Hendricks and James Thompson. Other winners were Johnny Hatton for longest drive, Larry Bowens, Bryan Clevenger and Mark Allison for closest to the pin.
Of course the big winners from this golf tournament are the future recipients of this scholarship award as donations brought in over $2000. The first year the award was given in 2004, seniors received $200. This year the scholarship award will be $1000. The scholarship money they receive can be put towards their college education.
“This scholarship fund continues to grow thanks to so many caring and giving individuals,” Morris remarked.
Special thanks to Rodney Wakefield for coordinating this event again this year. A sincere thank you to all the participants and the wonderful volunteers that made this tournament run so smoothly. Donations for this fund can be turned in at SCBT in Pickens.
Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County announces service awards
PICKENS — Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County recognized Angela Ellenburg, Director of Financial and Administrative Services for 25 years of service with the agency.
Behavioral Health Services is located at 309 East Main Street in Pickens and has been providing the citizens of Pickens County with effective and affordable clinical and educational services for over 35 years.
Other employees recognized for years of service included Angela Farmer, Director of Clinical Services, for 15 year of service, Angela Nicholson, Director of Intensive Family Services, for 10 years of service.
Relegated to the last 12 month
Nicole Daughhetee
Life As I Know It
By Nicole Daughhetee
I find myself saying “in the last year” a lot – like my entire life has been relegated to the past twelve months – yet I cannot shake from my mind the thoughts that this last year has been one of such profound and tremendous growth in my life that I cannot imagine another year in my future that would parallel.
Who else, in her right mind, is up at 4am on a Saturday morning writing? This her; that’s who! Again, it is one of those things that has occurred in the last year. Insomnia. Thoughts racing through my head at the speed of light – initially they were filled with heartache and anxiety.
